PlanetSide 2

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 342 reviews
  • gameplay
  • optimization
  • graphics
PlanetSide 2 Game Cover
Technically astounding mass-scale warfare that spews out gaming fantasy fulfilment. Bring a friend, or youll get lonely.
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PlanetSide 2 is a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter game featuring large-scale battles, strategic territorial control, and class-based military roles. Players choose from three empires and fight in epic battles across multiple continents, using a variety of vehicles, weapons, and abilities to gain an advantage. The game is known for its high player counts and intense, coordinated teamplay in a persistent world.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 342 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Massive scale battles with up to 2000 players on a single map, creating an epic war experience.
  • Highly customizable gameplay with various classes, vehicles, and strategies, allowing players to find their unique playstyle.
  • Free-to-play model that is not pay-to-win, as all weapons and upgrades can be earned through gameplay.
  • Steep learning curve for new players, making it difficult to compete against veterans with better gear and experience.
  • Performance issues, especially on lower-end systems, leading to lag and frame rate drops during large battles.
  • Lack of adequate tutorials and guidance for new players, resulting in confusion and frustration.
  • gameplay31 mentions

    Gameplay in this game is characterized by standard FPS mechanics such as headshots, cover usage, and flanking, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategy across various soldier classes. While the game offers a vast and engaging experience, players note that it lacks effective tutorials for its complex mechanics, which can be challenging to master. Despite some technical issues like lag and clunky inventory systems, the overall gameplay is praised for its depth, variety, and the unique experience of large-scale battles.

    • “The game is an MMO, but just the very fact that it still manages to feel like a standard FPS with decent controls and shooting mechanics is a grand achievement.”
    • “There is a ton of variety in how the gameplay unfolds.”
    • “What I enjoy most about it is the drop-in drop-out gameplay style.”
    • “Speaking of mechanics, this game doesn't teach them well at all.”
    • “The faction you pick has zero effect on the gameplay, there is no story, and the inventory and tabs are painful and clunky.”
    • “While the basic workings are about what you'd expect from a free-to-play game (a few paid elements, not the greatest game mechanics), the sheer scale of the game is unmatched by any FPS, free or not.”
  • optimization15 mentions

    The game's optimization has been a significant concern, with many players reporting inconsistent performance, particularly during intense combat scenarios. While some users with older rigs manage to run the game adequately, overall performance issues have persisted since launch, leading to frustration among the community. Frequent updates have failed to resolve these problems, and many players express that the game remains unoptimized, especially compared to competitors.

    • “Some of the older computers will have performance issues, but my oldish rig is doing fine with competitive performance.”
    • “Beside in-game, you can edit the config file for performance, visual clarity, FOV, etc.”
    • “Performance is all over the place; despite having a good system, expect things to slow down in some of the more hectic combat moments, which is expected since the game is trying to render hundreds of people shooting each other.”
    • “It has some optimization problems, but the game itself is very advanced with massive battles and lots of players.”
    • “Major performance issues have plagued the game ever since the beginning.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the detailed character designs and overall quality, especially for a free-to-play title. However, many note that the graphics feel dated compared to modern standards, and some users have experienced performance issues that necessitate lowering graphic settings for better framerates. Overall, while the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are considered adequate and fitting for the game's style.

    • “That game is awesome for a free-to-play game, nice graphics, nice gameplay, and very detailed characters.”
    • “This game is an amazing single-player strategy game you could also play on your iOS device, and I thank the developers for the amazing graphics and quality that they brought us with this game.”
    • “The landscapes and just the overall graphics look amazing for a free-to-play game, as close to non-stop war as you'll ever get.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated, but that is okay; they need to be.”
    • “The game graphics are like something from 2005.”
    • “It's gone to shit; it chugs and struggles. I even had to upgrade my graphics card.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, particularly for unlocking weapons and upgrades, which can take weeks to achieve. While some players find the grind manageable and worth the effort, others feel it can be daunting for newcomers and may detract from the overall experience. Despite the grind, many still consider the game enjoyable, especially for fans of fast-paced shooters.

    • “I feel as if I won't get much more out of this game so I'll write a review now... it's your average shooter with campers, jerks, good teammates, guns, endless grinding and more guns... it's okay though... it's still better than Call of Duty.”
    • “The free-to-play system isn’t too bad, the starting guns are definitely viable in combat, but in order to get another weapon or even to unlock a new attachment can feel very grindy at times.”
    • “Grinding to get your weapons will take you at least 2 weeks at best but at least a month for one good weapon or a few suit upgrades.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is marked by occasional log-on issues and glitches, such as character abilities not functioning properly after switching classes. While it is not completely bug-free, many users find it more stable than other recent AAA titles, though the engine's performance is still considered slow and buggy. Overall, players feel the game is worth the investment despite these stability concerns.

    • “It is never completely bug-free, but compared to some triple-A titles coming out, this is god-like.”
    • “There are log-on issues occasionally, glitches (after I play as a max and go back to infiltrator my infiltrator no longer cloaks), but overall it is 100% worth the investment of time.”
    • “Performance and bugs; is the game buggy and what about content and community interaction with the devs?”
    • “The engine is slow and buggy, and another game by the same developer failed due to this problem.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization system is praised for being very fair, setting a high standard for microtransactions in free-to-play games. Players appreciate that skill, rather than spending money, determines success, contrasting it with less favorable models like that of Star Trek Online. Overall, it is considered one of the best implementations of monetization in the genre.

    • “The monetization system is very fair, and I think it should be the gold standard of how to do microtransactions (in contrast with Star Trek Online, the polar opposite).”
    • “The best free-to-play game out there; unlike most, you don't even need to pay microtransactions to win—it's all based on your skill.”
    • “Tons of microtransactions.”
    • “The best free-to-play game out there; unlike most, you don't even need to pay microtransactions to win; it's all based on your skill.”
  • story4 mentions

    The story aspect of the games is largely seen as a matter of personal preference, with players choosing factions based on their unique backstories and equipment. However, some reviews highlight a lack of meaningful narrative, noting that faction selection does not impact gameplay and that the overall storytelling is minimal or non-existent. Additionally, the interconnectedness of the games and the monetization system raises concerns about the value of in-game purchases.

    • “Each character has its own differences, unique weapons, equipment, and story.”
    • “For new players, some characters might be easier to start with due to their controllability, but ultimately, it comes down to personal preference regarding which backstory you want to support.”
    • “The faction you pick has zero effect on the gameplay; there is no story, and the inventory and tabs are painful and clunky.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is geared towards older audiences, featuring elements that may be offensive or difficult for younger players to grasp.

    • “The humor in this game is brilliantly crafted, with clever jokes that keep you laughing throughout.”
    • “I love how the game balances witty dialogue with absurd situations, making every moment entertaining.”
    • “The comedic timing is spot on, and the characters' quirky personalities add to the overall hilarity.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy PlanetSide 2

Play time

81hMedian play time
57hAverage play time
24-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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